“A patent is a document which describes an invention which can be manufactured, used, and sold with the authorization of the owner of the patent. An invention is a solution to a specific technical problem. (…) The protection given by a patent is limited in time (generally 15 to 20 years from filing or grant). It is also limited territorially to the country or countries concerned.”

Condom Shapes

1. Prophylactic Device (1979)
This is one of the first special shapes that you’ll find in a patent search. Filed in 1979. We’ve all seen that before.

Special Types of Condoms

20. Unisex Condom (1990)
This is “a unisex condom to be worn as an underpant type garment with pocket or shaft typedepressions or tubular extensions in the lower front and lower rear”. You don’t actually have to worry about having a condom ready. You just wear it all the time.

21. Female Condom (2003)
The above picture shows a concept from 1990. This patent is from 2003 and for women only.

27. Magnetic Condom (2005)
This condom has a magnetic material at the open end. The background of the invention is the “static magnetic field” that causes therapy in the human body because of increased blood flow.

28. Condom (2008)
This is a condom with a vibrating device. You get the idea.

29. Condom Having Transmission Apparatus (2008)
“The condom may operate to transmit a signal to control a device that is remote from the condom. Additionally (…) a remote device may operate to transmit a signal that is received by the condom and used to control a condom accessory.” I’m just wondering what kind of signal would one send out there…?

Academic Jokes

34. Condom (2001)
The patent states:” The ornamental design for a condom, as shown.” And I thought they were socks at first.

Carrying Condoms Around With You

35. Heart-Shaped Carrier for a Condom (1988)
I’ve seen many, many different kinds of key fobs in my life, but a heart carrying a condom is news even for me (I’m not discussing the fail of actually keeping the condom safe).

38. & 39. Underwear With a Pouch for a Condom
These two inventions look pretty much the same. Not true. The left condom panty was filed in February 2008, the right one in October 1997. Some things go a long way in 11 years.

42. Condom in a Nut Novelty
This is easily my favorite. The hole in Fig. 5 “is sealed, and then painted to match the nutshell. The nut is cracked by the novelty victim to reveal the condom”.Must’ve been a big hit in 1998.

44. Photo Condom Package (2000)
This is a photo condom package “which enables an individual to print personal information on the condom”. This is no joke, it is intended for you to put in your picture, write down your address and “to inform someone that an individual is attractive and interested in a sexual relationship (…)”.

46. Ankle Holder for Carrying Condom Packages (2001)
The backround of this invention is the following: “A wallet is a typical article used to carry and conceal a condom package. A significant problem with carrying a condom package in a wallet is that the outline of the condom package is often visible to others (…) another problem with using a wallet is that the condom package is often difficult to access when one is in the throws of passion”. “Finding and fumbling in one’s wallet for a condom package can destroy the mood of lovemaking”. The mother of this invention must’ve been a huge wallet.

57. Multi-Purpose Headgear (2005)
Condoms can be used for many silly games. This hat though seems to offer almost endless possibilities. The patent doesn’t mention any bunnies though.

58. Subway Movie/Entertainment Medium (2005)
Take your date on a cheap night out. As a matter of fact if you’re landing in Zürich (Switzerland) for the UEFA Euro 2008 you’ll experience a similar (the same?) Heidi installation.

60. Have You Ever Wanted to Patent Anything?
Now it’s your turn. Have you ever patented anything? Did you ever want to? What would your condom look like? Want to bring other related patents to our attention? Feel free to join the discussion.

Sources and Resources for Patent Search

Patents can be found on the following sites:

Espacenet.com
Patent search on the site of the European Patent Office (EP, Worldwide, WIPO).